Chapter 8 Memory Flashcards
memory
faculty for recalling past events and past learning
what are the three activities that memory involves?
encoding, storage, retrieval
Encoding
getting info into memory in the first place into a form so the brain can understand it
Storage
keeping the memories so you can use them later
Retrieval
finding the memories and using them when we need to
Information processing model
View of memory that says info moves around the 3 memory store during encoding, storage and retrieval
What are the three memory stores associated with the information processing model?
Sensory memory, working memory, long term memory stages
sensory memory
we encounter a stimulus and then our brain retains the image for less than a second so it helps us keep items we briefly experience for longer and choose to pay more attention to it
Visual memory/iconic memory
Small copy of the visual event we just saw
Echoic memory
auditory system that holds info for a short time
Short term memory
storage location where stimuli may be held for a brief period of time that later develops into working memory
working memory
composed of different processes and systems for processing diff kinds of info someone is working on and keeping it available for easy access
Central executive in working memory
supervisor that monitors and coordinates entire working memory system by telling attentional resources what to do and specifically prioritizing certain info
Phonological loop
part of the working memory that process written and spoken info aka little voice that tells u what u need to remember and keeps that info in active memory
Visuospatial sketchpad
part of working memory that keeps track of images and spatial locations for navigation processes aka inner eye
Episodic buffer
part of working memory that links together other parts of the working memory and creates link sto time and order and to long term memory
Difference between working memory and short term memory
Working memory is an entire framework of hierarchy of processes used to temporarily store and manipulate info but short term memory is composed of sub systems rather than one single model
Difference between working memory and short term memory
Working memory is an entire framework of hierarchy of processes used to temporarily store and manipulate info but short term memory is composed of sub systems rather than one single model
Executive attention
Component responsible for overseeing the maintenance of goals and for controlloing interference when a person is engaging in complex cognitive tasks
- controls working memory and executive function
long term memory system
can retain what seems like unlimited amount of info for an indefinite time period
parallel distributed-processing model (PDP/connectionist) model
theory that suggests info is represented in the brain as a pattern of activation across entire neural networks
automatic processing
encoding info with little conscious awareness or effort
effortful processing
encoding info through careful attention and conscious effort
Differences between effortful and automatic processing
- Effortful processing gets disrupted when you have to do multiple tasks at once or attend to other info at the same time
- automatic processing is effortless so it is only disrupted slightly when multitasking
Rehearsal
conscious repetition of info in an attempt to make sure info is encoded and increases likelihood it will enter our working memory and be available when needed
When is long term memory used?
Remembering past events, previously gathered info, people we met, past feelings, acquired skills
spaced practice effect
encoding of material through rehearsal situations over time
Three forms info is encoded
phonological code, visual, semantic
phonological code
repeating sounds and numbers, used more for verbal info like numbers and words
visual code
holding an image in our mind like ppls faces or objects
semantic code
representations based on the meaning of info, linking new things to things we already know and have a shared meaning
Mnemonic devices
techniques used to enhance meaningfulness of info as a way of making them more memorable
schemas
knowledge bases that we develop based on prior exposure to similar experiences or other knowledge bases
How does info enter the working memory?
Sensory info that is briefly stored or info that was in the long term memory and moves back to working in order for the task at hand
True or false: Once info enters working memory, it can be stored forever.
False. It can only be stored for a limited period of time
- only 5-9 items can be stored there at a given moment
memory span
max number of items that can be recalled in the correct order
chunking
grouping bits of info together to improve ability to hold that info in the working memory
How long can memories be stored in the long term memory?
Unlimited time
What affects if certain events will be stored in the long term memory or not?
- Items that are attended to must be encoded and briefly stored in the working memory before it can move to long term
- if attention and encoding activities are disrupted they may not be stored
Types or memories in long term memory
explicit or implicit
Two types of explicit memories
semantic and episodic
explicit memories
memories that you can consciously bring to mind
The role of the hippocampus in long term memory storage
A temporary storage site where long term memories are stored and later more to various areas of the neocortex
semantic memory
general knowledge
episodic memory
personal events
implicit memories
memories that we are not consciously awake of (motor behaviours, skills, habits)
Where are implicit memories stored?
Striatum - region near midline in the brain
how are long term memories organized?
Not entirely understood but
- pieces of info linked to eachother which forms interwoven associations which allows us to travel rapidly through long term memory to find info needed
- connectionist model of memory
Two theories for how retrieval works
search process and activation process
search process for retrieving memories
someone focuses on a specific question and scans memory for the answer
activation process for retrieving memories
process where the questions ppl ask themselves triggers pieces of info that are needed from long-term memory
Retrieval cues
words, sites or other stimuli that can trigger a memory
context effects
we can remember things better in the same place we first learned them
Priming
one piece of info helps us retrieve other related memories
recognition tasks
memory tasks where ppl are asked to identify whether or not they have seen a particular item before
recall tasks
memory tasks where ppl are asked to produce info using little to no retrieval cues
Primacy effect when reading a group of people a list of 12 words
as the ppl listened to the words, ppl could carry out more working memory (repeating the words over and over) on the words at the top of the list before other words came along and replaced them in short term memory
Recency effect when reading a group of people a list of 12 words
items at the end of the list are still in working memory when the reading ended and there was less interference for the words at the end of the list
primacy effect
tendency to remember things at the beginning of a list vs the middle
recency effect
items at the end of the list remain in the working memory so they are remembered easier
encoding specificity principle
theoretical framework that asserts that memory retrieval is better when the info available at retrieval is similar to the info available at the time of encoding
3 reasons why we forget and misremember
encoding failure, storage failure, retrieval failure
encoding failure
info was never learned in the first place
storage failure
biological problem (head trauma or alzheimers)
retrieval theory
info was encoded and stored by you cannot get it out of your brain
decay theory
theory of forgetting, suggesting that memories fade over time due to neglect or failure to access over long periods of time
Misinformation effect
development of biased memories when ppl are provided with misleading info following a witnessed event
